Latest: Ali Rios bought this tidy and tiny (800-square-foot) shop in October 2008. He made more room for gamers — “Magic,” “Yu-Gi-Oh” and “Naruto” are the big draws — but kept the store’s mix of comics, manga, graphic novels and collectible card games.

Latest: Flagship for chain — others are found in Mission Valley, National City, Chula Vista and Otay Mesa — this claims to be the county’s largest comics shop. About 7,000 square feet are devoted to comics, game cards, sports cards and action figures; another 3,500 square feet to storage.

Greatest: How large is the inventory? “We’re coming up on 3 million,” said Jennifer Belton, the manager.

Latest: Longtime owner Ed Fogarty sold to David Draize in December. The place has been almost doubled in size but still carries Galactic’s trademark mix of comics, action figures, movie candy, DVDs and — nostalgic boomers will be happy to hear — Sea Monkeys.

Latest: Rob Nazimowitz opened this shop in October 2008, just in time for the worst of the recession. He survived by focusing on modern comics, balancing big publishers’ offerings against books from independent houses.

Greatest: “It’s also nice and clean, so it’s not scary when you walk in,” said Donica Hart, part of Nazimowitz’s staff. “We’re all about defying the stereotypes.”

Latest: Marilyn Goodman’s crowded, vibrant shop runs the gamut from mainline DC and Marvel titles to edgy indies. “We’re definitely trying to get a lot of the things that other people wouldn’t have,” she said.

Greatest: Goodman recommends “Green Lantern,” but not because of the current Ryan Reynolds film: “There’s a continuing story line that has been going pretty well.”

Latest: Harajuku-worthy selection of manga, anime, J-Pop CDs, Japanese toys and snacks. Ed Sherman stocks a fair amount of American comics, too, but you can find “Batman” everywhere. “Cardcaptor Sakura” is a tougher get.

Greatest: In the days before Comic-Con, Rising Sun resembles a mini-con. “Tourists come to San Diego before it starts and have nothing to do,” Sherman said, “so they pour in here. We get gobs of tourists.”

SAN DIEGO COMICS & COLLECTIBLES

6937 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego; (619) 698-1177; san-diego-comics.com

Latest: Greg Pharis’ 39-year-old shop hasn’t shrunk, but the 1,100 square feet seem more cramped. “We have more comic books than ever before,” he said. The economy has increased supply, as cash-strapped collectors have sold, and demand: “Those who have money, they want to buy back issues.”

Greatest: Despite this shop’s name, 99 percent of the collectibles here are comics. The older the better, but Pharis isn’t dogmatic on this point. “I’m focusing on any back issue.”

Latest: Jamie Newbold’s 2,500-square-foot fortress overflows with a constantly changing treasure-trove of statues, action figures and used comics going back to the 1930s. “We’re the back-issue guys,” he said.

Greatest: Because Newbold is an aggressive shopper, buying complete collections, you never known what to expect here. “A week ago,” he said in June, “we had not one anime DVD. Now we have 600.”